Best of Siloam Springs

John Brown University campus. (Courtesy photo) No one's turned away from Flexible flat rate makes mental health services provided by supervised graduate students available to all By Suzanne Rhodes n ot everyone who suffers from depression, trauma, grief, relationship issues or other challenges can afford professional counseling services, but at John Brown University's Community Counseling Center, "we don't turn anyone away," said Executive Director Dr. Tim Dinger. "We have a flexible flat rate of $15, but if you can't afford it, we'll accommodate you." e center, formerly known as the Care Clinic, has offered counseling services to the community through the university's graduate program for some 20 years but used a sliding scale to determine fees based on a client's income. e flat rate "simplifies the process. We don't have to ask about salary or employment," Dinger said. e new name, Community Counseling Center, better reflects the clinic's mission of serving people locally by providing low-cost counseling, "even if they can only pay one dollar." e clinic serves adults, children, couples and families in Siloam Springs and Little Rock. About 60 percent of the clients are adults, 20 percent are couples and families, and 20 percent are children. Counseling is needed now more than ever, and the clinic is now accepting new clients for tele-mental health services. ey are also offering free services to first responders, mental health and healthcare professionals both in person and through tele-health up to 10 free sessions. "We live in complicated times, and managing the complexities of life is difficult. Living well requires understanding the challenges one faces and the courage and skill to make changes," Dinger said. "e professional care and counsel provided supports the community member and helps facilitate the change necessary in their life." Besides its unique affordability, the graduate program — offering master's degrees in Marriage and Family erapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling — is also distinctive as a training clinic. Supervised by experienced, licensed faculty members, graduate students provide counseling services to all ages and to people from all socioeconomic and educational levels. Experiential learning prepares them "to become competent professionally while providing a service to the community. We have a pretty rigorous training program." Dinger explained that training standards are set by different licensing bodies and that before counseling clients, JBU Community Counseling Center 28 • Best of Siloam Springs Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader Ad Number: 042821nwr7291 Thank you for voting for us! We love being part of Siloam. 2 1 0 0 H i g h w a y 4 1 2 We s t | S i l o a m S p r i n g s , A R • 4 7 9 - 5 4 9 - 1 8 3 3 Ad Number: 042821nwr6501 ank you for choosing First United Methodist Church as one of the Best Churches in Siloam Springs! Sundays 10am • w w w.fumcss.com 325 East Twin Springs Street

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